Have you wanted to start a screen printing business, but didn’t know when to start? Are you waiting for “the perfect time?” If you have passion and drive, the perfect time is anytime. That’s what happened with Ashley Corr (aka Chainsaw Betty) and Ashley Stone. They started Press or Dye at the height of the pandemic’s lockdown. The passionate women from Nashville, Tennessee, share their journey and their secrets for success.
Photo by Press or Dye
HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED
Chainsaw Betty and Ashley Stone, partners for 5 years, both have been customizing their clothes since their teens. Both creators have been interested in meshing different artistic styles together to create something new and different. The pair started Press or Dye in June of 2020 to make a living by creating and to establish a brand.
“We wanted to be able to wake up every morning excited about work and love what we do,” Chainsaw Betty said.
Before starting Press or Dye, Chainsaw Betty ran a barbershop in Nashville, and also cut hair backstage at festivals and events. Ashley Stone was a freelance photographer. She also shot product photography and managed social media for a lifestyle clothing brand and a whiskey brand.
When the pandemic hit, the two lost their jobs. Chainsaw Betty began dying and repurposing T-shirts and selling them through Instagram to make some cash. The side hustle took off. People loved the unique garments and wanted more. Press or Dye was born in July 2020 because of a passion to create and do something they loved.
“We jumped right in and bought everything we needed to get started.”Chainsaw Betty said.
The duo began with an inexpensive kit from Ebay. About 5 months later, they were given an old Riley Hopkins silver press and an exposure unit.
“That really upped our game,” Chainsaw Betty said.
RELATED: A CHECKLIST OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES NEEDED TO START UP A SCREEN PRINT SHOP
Photo by Press or Dye
THE PROCESS
Both Chainsaw Betty and Ashley Stone have been dying garments since their teens. Press or Dye garments are dyed with a non-destructive reverse dye. They use dyeing methods like ice dye, placing ice on the shirt and sprinkling powdered dye on the ice to dye the garment; hot dye, dying the fabric in hot water and dye; and cold water dye. They found that bleaching eats away at the fabric too quickly.
Their favorite dye process is reverse dying, where you pull the pigment out of the shirt to create a unique look. They also love bright colored dyes dipped in black.
“It just depends on what the vision for the piece is,” Chainsaw Betty said.
Dying shirts is a practice-makes-perfect process. It took these creators some time to prevent fibrillation and find the right garment that would both take the dye and print well. FN-INK™ works best for their process. Since they’re mainly printing on dark garments, they needed an ink with a high opacity.
“FN-INK has been easiest for us to use and the most affordable ink for our budget!” Chainsaw Betty said.
RELATED: BEST PRACTICES FOR PRINTING ON TIE DYE
Photo by Press or Dye
A DAY IN THE LIFE
On a normal day, Chainsaw Betty and Ashley Stone wake up early and down some coffee. Ashley checks Instagram messages, while Chainsaw Betty checks emails, orders, and inventory. After all the notifications have been attended to, they turn to dyeing and printing shirts.
Press or Dye’s clientele is mainly local businesses and artists: a barbershop, musicians, and local lifestyle brands, to name a few. The pair custom-dye and print orders for customers, making their work stand out in the screen printing community.
When they’re not filling orders for clients, they’re working on their pieces for their own brand. Their designs are diverse, influenced by rock & roll, hip hop culture, sacred geometry, street art, traditional tattoos, and more.
“We are inspired by anything that speaks to us or moves us in some way,” Chainsaw Betty said.
They also print on any sort of garment: T-shirts, hoodies, patches, joggers, shorts, and retail bags. The team is always looking for something new to print on.
“We are always trying to come up with new techniques and processes,” Chainsaw Betty said. “It's a constant learning process and it's just us two.”
Press or Dye’s merch sells out quickly. Sometimes, a garment will sell out within hours of its release. Their artistic, creative approach to dyed garments and printed tees resonate with many.
Photo by Press or Dye
WHAT’S NEXT?
Chainsaw Betty and Ashley Stone have big dreams for Press or Dye. Currently, they’re working out of their three-bedroom house, aiming to move into a bona-fide shop. In addition to the new space, they want to upgrade to a multi-station press with micro registration and a conveyor dryer. In five years, they hope to have a creative space to continue raising the bar and expressing themselves as creatives.
“We can honestly say with 100% confidence we enjoy every part of it, and we can't wait to see what the future has in store,” Chainsaw Betty said.
Photo by Press or Dye
Chainsaw Betty and Ashley Stone love their work, and measure their success by it.
“We feel that success is measured in happiness and doing what you love,” Chainsaw Betty said.
Press or Dye has thrived during these odd times, and continues to grow every day. With such passionate creators behind the wheel, how could it not?
Check out Press or Dye’s website to see their sweet merch, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook to check out what they’re printing.